darras



(lo lodel.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l. A. F. BARRAS.

FLoUR SIITBB. i No. 566,144. Patented Ang..18, 1896.

lNYENmII:

Anm/1ers (In Hedel.)

w/ruesses Patented Aug. 18, 1896.

INYENTO?" TTORNE YS Mmmm-lilium;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTE FERNAXD DARRAS, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

FLOUR-SIFTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part f Letters Patent No. 566,144, dated Aug-ust18, 1896.

Application Sled April 23, 1895. Serial F0. 546,934. (Fo model Patentedin France October 1,1894,N0. 241,751.

To all u-lom if muy cmuvfru.-

Be it known that I, AlGUs'rE FERNAXD DARRAS, a citizen of the Republicof France, residing in Paris, France, have invented a Flour-Sitter, (forwhich I have obtained a French patent, No. 241,751, dated October 1,1894,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for cleaning, sifting, andseparating flour and other mealy substances, and more especialiy toeiect in meal used for the purposes of making bread, pastry, andbiscuits the open ingof the cellulose lumps of grain in the mass, withthe objectof freeing the maximum of nutritious substances containedtherein.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 represents a vertical section of a machine constructed afterthe manner of my invention. Fig. is a sectional plan view of the same.Figs. 3 and 4 are detail sections.

The reference-letter Y indicates an annular metallic rim with which theradial arms lI are formed integral, and said radial arms Il have attheir inner ends and axially coincident to the rim T a step-bearing D.Rising vertically from the rim Y and parallel with each other are thestandards X, which are preferably four in number and which have theirupper ends rigidly secured to the cap or top portion X. This cap or topportion is formed at its under edge with a. downwardly-projecting flangewhich facilitates a connection with the standards X, and the centralpart of the cap X is formed with a concentric and circular openinghaving an upwardly-extending boss or tube surrounding the same, thewalls of which are perpendicular to the cap.

A' indicates four flexible sheet-metal panels which are adapted toextend from one of the standards X to that adjacent and which form thesides of the casing inclosing the operative parts of my invention. Thesepanels are arranged with their vertical edges in rabbets orrabbet-grooves formed in the standards X and are held therein by meansof swinging latches or fastening devices Y. These fas- 5o tening devicesare mounted so as to swing and so that they may extend horizontally onthe standards X or vertically therewith, and

' when extended horizontally they will engage with the panels A' andhold the same secure. On the other hand, when extended vertically t-hepanels will be released.

It will be observed that the rim V is formed with an open bottom, whichmakes the casing of the machine open and whereby the material acted onmay be del 'ered from the casing into a receptacle below, which may be akneading apparatus or any other device, according to the nature of theoperation which is performed on the material.

Revolubly seated within the step-bearing D is a vertical shaft C, whichhas its upper end mounted in a bearing D', the said bearing D' beingintegral with the radial arms d, which extend across the tube or boss onthe cap X and which have their outer ends rigidly secured to theinterior sides thereof. Fixed on the shaft C is a mitergear R', whichmeshes with a corresponding gear R, mounted on a horizontal shaft E, thesame having bearings in the casing S and extending beyond the casing ofthe machine. The outer end of the shaft E is provided with a crank F orwith any other suitable driving mechanism, all of which will be obvious.

The casing S is seated upon the step-bearing D and rigidly securedthereto by means of bolts or screws passing through the same and throughflanges at the base of the casing. The casing S is provided to inclosethe gears R and R and other hereinafter-described parts of the machineand to prevent them from being clogged with grain.

P indicates a hollow shaft receiving the shaft C and rotatable thereon.This shaft has at its lower end a miter-gear which meshes with the gearR at the upper side of the latter and which is driven through the mediumof the same.

I" indicates a collar which is rigid on the shaft C and which has formedin its upper side an annular groove carrying the balls Pl, which partscooperate with an extension formed on the shaft P, whereby the saidshaft is supported on the shaft C in a way which will make it capable ofindependent rotary movement.

Fixed on the shaft P is a collar M, which has integral therewith radialarms H, the same being extended to a point just inward of the standardsX and which have integral with their outer ends a rim Y. The collar Mhas an annular groove m, formed at its under side, which receives theupwardly-projecting end of the cap s, which forms a part of the casingS, and whereby the collar M is made free to rotate with the shaft P andyet have a connection with the casing S, which will exclude the passageof dust and other matter.

Rising vertically from the rim Y' are the standards X', which aresimilar to the standards X and which projectupwardly to a point justbelow the cap X. These standards are also four in number, by preference,but this may obviously be varied and have formed in their outer sidesrabbet-grooves or rabbets receiving the panels B. The panels B are fourin number and form the curved sides of the drum, consisting of theradial arms H and standards X.

Y' indicates fastening devices similar to the devices Y and operating toremovably hold the panels B. Thus it will be seen that the shaft- P hasatt-ached thereto a rotatable drum or casing, and this drum is providedto carry the sieves Tand '1"'. The sieve T' is xed on the sleeve )l andis arranged at the lower portion of the casing, forming the bottom,while the sieve T is carried by a collar f, revolubly mounted on theshaft C, and the said sieve has its outer edge xed to the interior sidesof the drum. The sieve T is of a larger mesh than its companion, for apurpose that will be readily understood.

K indicates a collar or sleeve which is keyed to the shaft C and whichhas at its lower end downwardlyprojecting flanges embracing the uppereudof the shaft P. The collar K has integral therewith radial arms k, whichare recessed on their under sides and which have aixed in said recessesthe arms I'. The arms I' are radially disposed in relation to the shaftC and project to a point just inward of the sides of the drum.

L' indicates a series of brushes which are fixed to the arms I and whichproject downwardly therefrom and play over the surface of the sieve T.Thus it will be seen that the sleeve z is supported by the collar K".

K indicates a second collar, which is also keyed to the shaft C andwhich is rested upon the upper end of the sleeve This collar K has armsl." radiating therefrom, the said arms being counterparts of the arms kand having the rods or arms I axed in the recesses attheir under sides.These rods I project after the manner of the arms I' and have thebrushes L aixed to their under side and projecting downwardly therefrom.The brushes L make contact with the sieve T, as the brushes L arearranged with the sieve T'. Thus it will be seen that as the shaft Erotates the gears R' and R2 will be moved in opposite directions, whichwill result in a diierential rotation of the shafts P and C, causing thedrum to rotate in one direction, carrying with it the sieves T and T'and causing the arms I and I' to rotate in an opposite direction, thewhole resulting in the movement of the sieves T and T' in a directionopposite to the movement of the brushes L and L".

l indicates a sleeve which is fixed on the upper extremity of the shaftC and which is held in place by means of a key l2, passing through theshaft and sleeve. The sleeve l has a flange formed on its outer sidewhichis annular in shape and which has the vanes l* secured thereto. Thevanes r are arranged with a shutter-like disposition, as illustrated inFig. 3, and have their outer ends aixed to or formed integral wit-h theannular rim t". These vanes are arranged, as will be seen, to rotatewith the shaft C, and they are located at the lower end of the tube orboss on the cap N and filling the interior size thereof.

I indicates a series of brushes which are fixed to the arms d and whichproject downwardly therefrom and engage with the vanes r. Fig. 3illustrates the manner in which the brushes Z engage with the vanes v,and as the said vanes rotate with the shaft C the brushes play overtheir surface and operate to distribute the grain which is introducedinto the tube on the cap N. The function of the vanes r is to primarilyreceive the flour and to carry it into engagementwith thestationarybrushes l, which is eiected bythe rapid and continuousrevolution of the vanes, and when the flour is thus carried to thebrushes l they will retard its movement with the vanes and operate todistribute the tlour evenly over said vanes, whereupon the Iiour willfall through the spaces between the vanes, assisted in so doing by thecentrifugal indnence attending their revolution. The construction of thebrushes L and L' is also illustrated in Fig. 4. This is not of anyspecial importance, however, since any suitable construction will carryout the purpose of my invention.

By reference to the drawings the operation of invention will be obvious.The material to be purified is introduced into the machine by way of thetube or boss on the cap N and falls upon the rotating vanes r, which,being revolved at a high speed, carry the material around and intoengagement with the brushes L, and by these means the said material isevenly distributed through the spaces between the sieves and allowed todrop upon the sieve T and within the drum- As the our engages with thesieve T it is acted on by the same and by the brushes L, which, beingrevolved rapidly in opposite directions, quickly force the finerparticles of flour through the sieve '1` and upon the sieve T'. Thesieve T' performs the same operation as the sieve T, and, being of asmaller mesh, effects a more thorough renovation of the Hour, whichfinally falls through the lower ends of the drum and casing and into thereceptacle below the latter.

By kneading flour treated as described it IOO IKO

tical solid shaft therein, a gear fixed to the shaft, a drive-shafthorizontal in the casing, a gear on the drive-shaft and meshing with thegear of the solid shaft, a collar revoluble on the solid shaft, a gearcarried by the collar and meshing with the gear on the drive-shaft,

an auxiliary' casing inclosing the three gears and having atits upperend an annular and i upwardly-projecting flange, the collar being formedwith a downwardly-opening, annular 5 groove receiving the flange of theauxiliary casing, a sieve carried by the sleeve on the hollow shaft, anda brush carried bythe solid f said parts, radial arms fixed to thecollar, an

shaft, substantially as described.

i. The combination with a stationary casingof a vertical shaft, a collarloose on the vertical shaft, means for oppositely driving 5 said parts,radial arms fixed to the collar, an auxiliary casing carried by theradial arms g and concentric to the shaft, sieves superposed in theauxiliary casing and revolving therewith, the sieves having looseconnection with the shaft, and brushes fixed to the shaft andcooperating with the sieves, substantially as described.

auxiliary casing embracing the vertical shaft and revolubly mountedthereon, means for oppositely driving the auxiliary casing and thevertical shaft, sieves superposed within the auxiliary casing, loosecollars embracing the shaft and respectively connected to sieves, andbrushes fixed to the shaft and respectively coperating with the sieves,substantially as described.

4. The combination with a stationary casing, of a vertical shaft, aseries of collars embracing and superposed on the vertical shaft,alternate collars being fixed thereto, arms xed to the lowest loosecollar and projecting from the same, an auxiliary casing supported bysaid arms, a series of sieves superposed wit-hin and carried by theauxiliary casing, the sieves being respectively connected attheircenters to the loose collars, brushes respectively fixed to the fixedcollars and coperating with the sieves and means for relatively drivingthe auxiliary casing and vertical shaft, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a stationary casing, of a vertical shaft, acollar loose on the vertical shaft, means for relatively drivingauxiliary casing carried by the radial arms and concentric to the shaft,a sieve carried by the auxiliary casing and revolving therewith, thesieve having a loose connection with the shaft',` and a brush fixed tothe shaft and cooperating with the sieve, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed luy name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUGUSTE FERNAND DARRAS.

'itnesses:

CHARLES J oxns, t`LvnE Smzorsruns.

